History

Established in 1995 as a rigorous college preparatory school, Trinity Collegiate School was well known for sending its graduates to highly competitive colleges and universities throughout the country. The school opened with 37 students in grades 7 through 9, adding a grade level per year with the first graduates receiving their diplomas in 1999.

The first headmaster was James Wright. The Reverend Robert Nielsen served as interim headmaster for the 1996-97 school year while concurrently serving as the headmaster of All Saints Episcopal Day School in Florence. Dr. Robert Veto succeeded Rev. Nielsen as the Head of School in 1997 and his tenure continued through the 2007-08 school year. The current Head of School is Mr. Edward Hoffman.

Classes were originally held on the campus of St. John’s Episcopal Church in downtown Florence. In 1997, the school moved to its new 100 acre campus in Darlington County, centrally located among the communities of Darlington, Hartsville, and Florence. The Blackwell Science Building and the Sonoco Gymnasium Building had been completed by that time. Enrollment growth and capital contributions enabled the school to complete Phase II of the campus plan in 2000 with the additions of the Drs. Bruce and Lee Library and Administration Building.

The Byrnes Schools was established in 1966 and provided a college preparatory education for Pee Dee children. The Byrnes Schools shared a similar reputation for sending its graduates to highly competitive, quality undergraduate institutions. Many community leaders throughout the Pee Dee have been Byrnes graduates.

In 2012 Trinity Collegiate School and The Byrnes Schools began extensive discussions about combining the schools. The decision to combine these two educational institutions came after careful consideration by the school leaders and the Boards of Trustees from both Trinity Collegiate School and The Byrnes Schools. The leadership of both schools felt that, by combining enrollment and integrating faculty, that the “new” school would broaden the educational opportunities for its students.

A larger school would be able to offer more Advanced Placement (AP) courses, richer and more vibrant art, drama, and music programs, and a more extensive athletics program. The integration of both schools into Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate School would clearly establish the premier college preparatory school within the Pee Dee Region and beyond.

On August 20, 2012 the Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate School opened its door to 195 students with Mr. Edward Hoffman as the Head of School. The ultimate integration of two schools into one was the result of an extraordinary movement to create a truly exceptional school. Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate School now stands alone as the region’s only college preparatory school.Phase III of campus expansion began in July 2012. On August 31, 2012 the newly constructed football stadium was dedicated and the school’s first night time home football game played. In September 2012 construction began on the Nucor Steel Multi-purpose Building, and was completed for the beginning of the 2013-14 school year.

Due to continued growth, Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate School is again expanding with the construction of a new academic building. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 24th, 2017 and the building will be completed in the fall of 2017. This 12,000 sq. foot building will add 7 classrooms, including science labs, and 2 seminar rooms. In addition, plans include a multipurpose/dining room so that our students have adequate space to have lunch each day while also adding space for meetings, student activities, and other gatherings. A parking lot expansion, baseball and softball field upgrades, and new stadium lights are also part of this expansion project. The TBCS Board of Trustees has embarked on a capital campaign to help fund this expansion project: The Growing in Excellence Campaign has a goal of $2 million to fund the building, furnishings, and related expenses. For more information on the campaign, to see building plans and more information, please click here.

Trinity-Byrnes by the Numbers

Take a look at what makes our school exceptional.

9:1 student to teacher ratio

14 average class size

15 AP courses

14 sportsprograms

20 student clubs and organizations

100% of students accepted to4 year colleges

Our Mission

To operate exclusively as a college preparatory school of academic excellence for grades 7-12, preparing our students intellectually, physically, socially, and spiritually to be well-rounded citizens able to lead productive lives in a global society.